16 Aug 2016

Favourite Biles settles for bronze

9:28 am on 16 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - The Netherlands' Sanne Wevers has stunned America's Simone Biles to win the balance beam title at the Rio Olympics.

US gymnast Simone Biles attends a practice session of the women's Artistic gymnastics at the Olympic Arena on August 4, 2016 ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Simone Biles Photo: AFP

Biles, 19, had been tipped to scoop a record five golds at Rio, but lost her footing after a somersault and had to grab the beam with both hands to save herself from falling off.

She still claimed bronze, but it was 24-year-old Wevers who won the top prize - the Netherlands' first women's individual gymnastics gold.

Biles' fellow American, Laurie Hernandez, won silver.

Biles, a double world champion on the beam, will be back tomorrow morning when she will be favourite to win the floor exercise.

She has already won gold in the team competition, individual all-around competition, and on the vault.